Parade, salute in celebration of 96th National Day in Yangon City

Students march in commemoratin of 96th Anniversary National Day. Photo: Zaw Min Latt

A parade and march from the Shwedagon Pagoda to People’s Square and a tribute at the obelisk in Maha Bandoola Park commemorating Myanmar’s independence were some of the events celebrated yesterday in Yangon for the 96th National Day.
Some members of the 88 generation that advocated for peace and open society, members of student unions, democratic movement activists — over 100 in all, assembled in front of the bronze statue of Maha Atula Marajina Buddha Image at the eastern part of the Shwedagon Pagoda at 2 p.myesterday, where messages sent by student unions were read. The group then marched to People’s Square, where the 96thanniversary of the National Day was officially observed. A committee member said in previous years many separate celebrations were held. But yesterday’s official celebration aimed at a more inclusive celebration. “We did it this year as observed in the years after 1920”, said U Nyein Zaw Aung, a member of the 96th National Day Celebration Committee. “In previous years, old students of Myoma held events according to their own plans. It is very nice to hold the ceremony collectively and in unison. History cannot be erased. To remind us of the past event, such a ceremony should be performed”.— Zaw Gyi ( Panita)